In my area it is the city commissionerís office that charges. It funny because if you call any other department they donít know anything about permits but if caught by the city commissioner you will get huge fines.

Yea really it is pretty much just who ever wants to make the money and sets the rules. I have usually been able to get a hold of the right individuals though by calling the business lic. division but then again every town/city is different.